Forget bump-accommodating dresses, the most important piece of clothing when you’re expecting is a pair of maternity leggings. The right pair feels just as comfortable as sweatpants, but is breathable like a flowy nap dress. These stretchy pants lend support to growing bellies and sore legs, whether you’re binge watching another season of Survivor or hitting the mat for some prenatal yoga. And because you already have a lot to figure out—What’s my birthing plan? Where is the crib going to go? What are we going to name our new bundle of joy?—we went ahead and tracked down the 12 best maternity leggings for every body, budget and activity, all with positively glowing reviews (sorry, not sorry). Here are our top picks.
The 12 Best Maternity Leggings For Every Body and Every Budget
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1. motherhood Maternity Full-length French Terry Secret Fit Belly Leggings
Best Overall
These easy cotton-spandex leggings have more than 1,500 reviews on Amazon with an average rating of 4.5-stars, which should give you a pretty good idea of how popular they are. But a quick canvas of our very own offices found these to be the number one recommended pair among PureWow moms. “The cotton material is just so soft and comfortable,” says Liz H. of New York, NY. “They stretch enough to fit your belly but don’t sag, even if you wear them multiple times a week (as I did). Honestly, when you’re pregnant you have so much going on in your head that it’s so nice to have something you can pull on any time and know it will fit right, every time.” The design even features two back pockets to help these look more like pants than yoga leggings, making them feel appropriate for everyday life—especially if you’re the type who’s reluctant to categorize leggings as pants. They come in two colors, black and gray (although it’s worth noting the belly band portion of the gray style is a contrasting black cotton), and seven sizes that should fit sizes 0 through 24.
2. seraphine Black Seamless Over Bump Maternity Leggings
Best Affordable Option
Not everyone wants to (or can afford to) drop a ton of money on a whole new maternity wardrobe. And that’s where Seraphine’s $25 maternity leggings come into play, because they’re surprisingly fantastic quality for the price. “I absolutely loved these during my pregnancy,” says Rachel B. of Boston, MA. “They’re just really, really comfy and also kind of sleek feeling.” Indeed, the material has a slight sheen that gives these stretch pants a dressier feel than plain matte black, but don’t veer into disco or leather territory. The lightweight, seamless design is breathable enough to keep you comfortable but won’t get sheer, no matter how much your bump expands. Per one reviewer, “I bought these at 14 weeks pregnant and am currently 38 weeks and still wearing them! I have one other pair of Seraphine leggings and they’ve both been super comfortable and have washed up really well considering I rotate between just the two pairs. So happy I invested in both of these pairs early on! I anticipate wearing them postpartum as well.”
Buy it ($25)
Available in sizes S to L
3. motherhood Maternity Bumpstart Under-belly Maternity Leggings
Best Under-Belly Design
The crisscross waistband of the Bumpstart Under-Belly leggings offers some wiggle room for your expanding frame, but where other maternity designs have a large swath of fabric meant to be pulled up or folded over like yoga pants, these fit more like a regular pair of non-pregnancy leggings. In fact, multiple reviewers suggest sizing down if you’re between sizes, so they maintain their slim fit and won’t sag in the crotch or thighs. They come in both black and dark gray, but there is just one inseam length available (27.5 inches). “Overall the design is very comfortable,” says Juanita C. of Houston, TX. “I was worried with the waist being under the belly that they would constantly drop but on the contrary they’re actually very formfitting. I really like that they are under the belly so I can use them postpartum! I would definitely recommend.”
4. tupelo Honey Comfy Maternity Leggings
Comfiest Material
All the leggings on this list are soft and comfortable, designed for changing bodies and the newly sensitive skin of expecting mothers. But there is one pair that really stood out for its incredible feel: Tupelo Honey. “These are the softest leggings I have ever put on my body, maternity or not,” raves Cristina G. of Boulder, CO. “They’re lightweight and super comfy, but not see-through whatsoever—and trust me, I’ve been stretching them to their limits.” Tupelo Honey is all about creating luxe-feeling, chic maternity wear and these leggings truly knock that goal out of the park. They’re woven from a blend of polyester and spandex that really nails the balance between supportive compression and easy stretch. And with a 28.25-inch inseam, they work well on long-legged mamas who sometimes have trouble finding longer lengths. They currently come in three colors—black, dark gray and navy—and fit sizes 0 to 18.
5. girlfriend Collective Maternity Legging
Greatest Size Range
There are many things we love about Girlfriend Collective—its focus on eco-friendly materials and dedication to sustainable practices—but we can’t forget about this brand’s impressive size range. All GC designs come in 11 sizes and all sizing options, including plus and petite, are shoppable from one product page so no one feels left out or “other.” The maternity leggings specifically come in two lengths (28.5 inches and 23.75 inches) and five colors (black, midnight, smoke, plum and moss). They are a bit softer and less compressive than the regular GC leggings, but otherwise run true to size. Per one reviewer, “I love that the sizing was so easy to figure out. I just ordered what I would have gotten pre-pregnancy (5’ 1, 108 lbs and I got the XS in the short length) and these have fit easily over the bump at a variety of stages (+10-30 lbs so far) and it seems they’ll continue to grow with me the last two months. They are soft and stretchy and have fit me all through my third trimester so far.” And while some reviews mention pilling, overall, the quality seems to very high. “I was hesitant to spend this much on maternity leggings, but they were well worth it!” reads another review. “I’ve been wearing them 3-4 days a week and they’ve held up very well.”
6. torrid Maternity Premium Legging
Best Plus-Size
For those looking for less expensive plus-size leggings, Torrid is *the* destination for you. This stretchy number comes in just one shade (black) and one inseam length (27 inches), but there are eight sizes starting at 10 and going up to size 30. The shirred upper sides allow the waistband to expand with your growing belly without feeling constrictive and are an added a chic touch you’ll want to show off. “I wore these almost every day for about five months while I was pregnant,” says one Minneapolis-based reviewer, “and they were even perfect for postpartum too! They fit true-to-size, though I still did size up a pair for my last month. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a comfy pair of maternity bottoms.” Lots of reviewers also mention how happy they are that these leggings don’t go sheer, even as they stretch, and that the band stays in place with no slipping.
7. blanqi Everyday Maternity Belly Support Leggings
Best For Tall Women
This company uses a sizing system more akin to tights or pantyhose than regular leggings, and uses a graph that takes into account your height and weight, with larger sizes offering even longer inseams. A seamless belly panel makes it easy for these leggings to adjust along with your growing baby without overstretching the fabric, while a unique X-shaped panel at the back offers bonus back support and reduces pressure caused by your bump (a true godsend for those in their third trimester). “I lived in these, to almost an embarrassing degree,” says Candace D. of Miami, FL. She also appreciated that extra length to better fit her 5’11” frame. “I loved that they truly went down to my ankles rather than looking like capris or 7/8 length leggings.” Nordstrom currently has four colors available (black, navy, moss green and a dark blue-gray hue), and the BLANQI website has two more (dusty rose and light blue), for those looking to add a spring-y pop of color to their maternity wardrobe.
8. beyond Yoga Spacedye Love The Bump Midi Maternity Leggings
Best Non-Black Options
Black is definitely the most popular color choice for leggings, maternity or otherwise, but that doesn’t mean it’s everyone’s preferred shade. For those who want something a little more colorful, Beyond Yoga has a ton of gorgeous options ranging from heathered gray to hot pink and leopard print. There’s even an ombre glitter design for moms who like a little glitz and glam. All Beyond Yoga leggings are made from the same soft, supportive material that features UV protection and quick-dry moisture wicking to keep you as comfortable as possible. And although they’re not cheap, they’re definitely worth it according to reviewer Melissa. “These are so soft so comfy! I have had two other pairs of Beyond Yoga pants for the last six or seven years and no matter how many times I wash them they never ever fade or wear out.”
9. Nike One (m) Maternity Leggings
Best for Working Out
Maternity workout clothes are not easy to find, but lucky for all the mamas-to-be, Nike has hopped on the fit pregnancy train and, based on reviews, is totally acing it. Nike (M) launched in May 2019 with just four styles, including One Maternity Leggings which are made with 75-percent recycled polyester fibers. Almost a year and a half later, and they’re still one of the line’s top sellers. They now come in hot pink and slate gray, in addition to classic black, though they’re only available to Nike Members at the moment (all you need to do to become a member is create a shopping account with Nike, no purchase required). Multiple reviewers say these are just as lovely to lounge in as they are for working out, but for those who do intend to get their sweat on, the crisscross band that sits just under your belly will offer ample support right where you need it most, even during high-intensity activities like running. As for sizing, they appear to run true-to-size and fit sizes 0 through 22.
10. H&m Mama Leggings
Best Affordable Multi-Pack
For the mama who likes to wear leggings day-in and day-out, buying in bulk is a great idea, especially when the pants in question are as affordable as this H&M pair. In addition to being wonderfully budget-friendly, this bump-cradling style is incredibly soft and comfortable. The fabric is rather lightweight and breathable, making these a lovely option for warmer months when you don’t want to deal with the chafing that comes with dresses or skirts. (In fact, one mother-to-be said she likes to wear two pairs at once on particularly cooler days.) Based on reviews, it looks like these run true to size, although those between sizes should consider sizing down. The inseam isn’t listed, but they appear to be longer than your average leggings, as evidenced by numerous positive mentioned by women 5’9” and taller. One word of caution: Almost every single one of the 130 reviews suggests cutting the tags out of the back to avoid any rubbing or discomfort.
11. Spanx Mama Faux Leather Leggings
Best Faux-Leather
We’d never judge a pregnant woman (or any person, for that matter) for sporting plain leggings out to dinner or for a night at the theater, but sometimes a gal just wants to glam things up a bit. Spanx’s faux-leather maternity leggings are comfortable and slimming (just like the brand’s regular pairs), but with a fancier vibe than simple matte black. They’re also a bit warmer, which makes them a great option for events during the winter months. The top of the leggings is made from a matte black spandex, to better accommodate bellies of different sizes without feeling too constricting, which does mean you’ll likely want to pair them with longer tops or sweaters. A word on sizing: The legs run fairly slim, so focus on that area when deciding what size to get. “The material is a good thickness and the faux leather look is not too shiny,” reads one review. “Pre-pregnancy, I was an XS or S in all clothing; I went with a S for these leggings, and it was the perfect choice. If you think you're in-between sizes, I'd definitely recommend sizing up, as the leg portion is snug but would've been way too tight if I had gone with the XS. “
12. Bump’n Every Mama Leggings
Leggings that Give Back
Shopping for clothing that you know is going to make you look good, but that also does good for those in need is always a phenomenal mood booster. With each sale of leggings, Bump’n donates a portion of the proceeds to a number of IVF and infertility charities across the globe, like Bonei Olam, ATime and BabyQuest Foundation. As for the leggings themselves, there are five styles to choose from, each designed to carry you through different stages of pregnancy (including pre-pregnancy and postnatal), but the Every Mama is intended to work throughout the entire process. Lex G. of Los Angeles, CA, says, “These leggings offer fantastic belly support, and since they’re extremely high-waisted they don’t cut off your circulation mid-belly. They also incorporate a butt-lift technology that makes me feel cute despite the fact that I can no longer see my feet or vagina—and they’re moisture-wicking and tagless!” Indeed, these leggings are very high waisted, which might feel like a lot during the early stages of pregnancy (you can always fold them over if need be), but offers wonderful full coverage and support during your third trimester.